Kari Lee Townsend - Sunny Meadows 04 - Perish in the Palm (12 page)

“Anything else?”

“Actually yes. Theresa McFarland was also there.”

I felt like I’d been sucker punched. “But she wasn’t on the guest list.”

“She obviously crashed the wedding.”

“But why? Jo fired her as her wedding planner before she hired Zoe. I mean, I can’t blame her. The woman called Jo fat. Not a very smart thing to do, especially at Pump Up the Volume Hair Salon and Spa. Tracy and Raoulle are nothing if not loyal, and they adore Jo. Of course they were going to tell her.”

“And in a town this small, one mistake can ruin a person’s reputation. Everyone adores Jo.”

“So what does this all mean?” I wished I could read his complicated mind.

“That maybe we’re looking in the wrong direction for a motive.”

“I don’t understand?”

“Maybe the killer didn’t have something against Peirce. Maybe they set out to ruin Jo and Cole’s day. In fact, maybe the target hadn’t been Theodore in the first place. Now do you see why I worry? I need you to be safe, Sunny. You and all the people we’re close to.” He cupped my cheek with his large palm, and I melted into it.

I nodded, coming to the only answer. “Then there’s only one solution.”

“I’m not gonna like this, am I?”

“Probably not, but you are going to agree to it. I need to do my job and you need to do yours, so why don’t we do what we do best and work together. Deal?”

“You’re right. I don’t like it. But I’m too damned tired to fight anymore. You’ve got a deal, partner.”

“Good.” I bit back a grin over his use of the word partner. He’d come such a long way since the days when we first started working together, though he’d never admit it. “We start in the morning. But first,” I wagged my eyebrows at him, “how about dessert?”

“Now,
that’s
something I’d like very much.” He tackled me on the couch and took a bite, making me squeal with delight.

P
apas Restaurant was a Greek restaurant with an ancient Athens theme and marble statues everywhere. My mother hated it, of course, but it was one of my favorite places. Jo, Zoe, and I often had lunch here.

“I can’t get over how much you can see.” I held Jo’s 3D ultrasound image in my hand as if it were precious cargo. “The color’s amazing, and the baby looks so big already.”

“I know, right?” Zoe chimed in, holding her hand out eagerly. “I’m going to be an auntie.”

I laughed and handed the picture to her a bit reluctantly, secretly wishing I could be an auntie, too.

“Technically a second cousin,” Jo corrected, but the glowing grin remained fixed on her face.

“But more like an aunt than any of your siblings, and you know it, Cuz,” Zoe said excitedly.

“True.” Jo winked at her and then smiled softly at me as if reading my mind. “You both are.”

“So I take it things are going better between you and Cole?” I asked, careful not to upset her.

Jo’s smile only dimmed a little. “We’re fine. He still thinks he’s cursed, but at least he’s not asking to annul the wedding anymore. And he is scared to death but admittedly excited about the baby. I let him back in our bedroom, but rest assured, I haven’t totally let him off the hook just yet.”

“That’s good that you’re fine now, and I’m sure he’ll get over his worries in time. You two are meant for each other.” I looked at Zoe. “And how about you and Sean?”

“I have to admit he’s wearing me down. I still don’t know if I can totally trust that he wants to be with just me and no other women, but I did agree to go out on a date with him. But enough about us. Did you find anything at the inn?”

I nodded and waited a beat, relishing in their looks of anticipation for a moment before finally saying, “We found a treasure map.”

“Get out!” Jo gaped at me. “Like a real life treasure map with pirates and X marks the spot and everything?”

I nodded. “Well, I’m assuming there’s an X to mark the spot. The map’s corner is ripped off with the final destination on it, so I’m not exactly sure how we’re ever going to find it unless I can pull a reading off it.”

“Wait … who’s we?” Zoe tilted her head with curiosity blazing in her gray eyes.

“Linda, Sally, Jack, Frank, and Pierre.”

“Since when did you become on a first name basis with Cruella and her band of misfits?” Jo snorted.

“Since getting hit on the head—sort of—and finding a hidden door and exploring a secret passageway.”

“Okay, backup, sister.” Jo crossed her arms and settled in. “Start over and don’t leave anything out.

I told them everything that had happened in great detail through our entire meal and even dessert.

“I’m taking it the map is the secret that was hiding within the walls of the inn.” Zoe dabbed a napkin at the corners of her mouth.

“Exactly. The map is the key to Peirce’s fortune, but even if we don’t find it, the historical find of the map alone as well as the ancient hidden tunnel will put Divine Inspiration on the map just like my vision predicted.”

“It’s almost better if the treasure isn’t found,” Jo said. “I bet the rumor of it alone will bring people from all over to the inn. Maybe Linda won’t have to sell now.”

“That’s what I’m thinking,” I said. “If she’s innocent, that is. She’s not completely out from under suspicion in the death of her husband. And we still don’t know who she was having an affair with, but I have my suspicions.”

“Oh, hey, there’s Wendy Statham.” Zoe stood up and waved, trying to get the woman’s attention.

“Who?” I asked.

“The cake lady,” Jo responded, watching Zoe walk over to talk to the woman. “Zoe is helping Granny and Fiona plan the Fall Harvest party for Vivian.”

“Ah,” I said. “Speaking of party planners, I have something to tell you.”

Jo frowned, her attention back on me now. “Why so serious? You look concerned, or constipated, which is something I know lots about these days.” She smirked.

“Funny.” I shook my head, then looked her in the eye until her smirk disappeared. “I don’t want you to be afraid.”

“Now that you’ve said that, how can I not be?” Jo wrung her hands together. “What the heck is wrong? Did you have a vision about the baby?” She dropped her hand and covered her belly. She was going to make such a great mother.

“Nothing’s wrong with your baby,” I quickly reassured her, but at her doubtful look, I admitted, “Okay, well, maybe a little something’s wrong, but I promise it has nothing to do with the baby. Mitch thinks that maybe the killer wasn’t someone with a grudge against Peirce or Linda. Maybe the killer had something against you and Cole.”

Jo wrinkled up her face. “Why would you think that?”

“Well, you did fire Theresa McFarland as your wedding planner,” I pointed out as gently as I could.

“After she called me fat,” Jo snapped. “She had it coming.”

“I know, but I also know something you might not.”

“Like what?” She eyed me with confusion.

“She crashed your reception.”

Jo gasped. “Are you kidding me? I didn’t even see her.”

“She was on the police list of people who were there. I’m sure she kept a low profile. She probably just wanted to see Zoe fail.”

“Or she made sure my day was a disaster.” Jo’s jaw hardened. “I can’t help it I ruined her reputation. People like me.”

“She made her own bed,” I agreed. “But I’m just not sure she would kill someone to get even.”

Jo pushed the last of her dessert plate away, a true indication she was upset. Jo didn’t push
any
food away these days. “What are you going to do about it?”

“Actually Mitch was going to talk to her today.”

“I’m surprised you let him go without you.”

“I already had plans with you and Zoe. I wasn’t about to bail on seeing your first sonogram.”

“Spoken like a true best friend, but…”

“You know me too well.” I laughed. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t plan to do a little investigating of my own.”

“There’s more?” Jo actually looked sick.

“Unfortunately yes. You know Ron Durkin and his fiancé Amy?”

“You know I do. They’re the couple who lost out on having their wedding at the inn the same day we were. I can’t help it Peirce chose me. I refer people to the inn all the time when they eat at Smokey Jo’s. He owed me a favor.”

“He probably also felt he owed Ron something, so he hired his tent company to put up your wedding tent. Ron was on the police list. He’s the boss. He doesn’t set up tents, yet he did yours.”

“Yeah, he helped set it up all right. Set it up to fall.” Jo ground her teeth. “You won’t have to put them away in prison if they had anything to do with ruining my wedding. I’ll put them six feet under when I kill them both myself.”

***

Later that afternoon I headed to Mini Central Park with its old fashioned street lamps, park benches, gazebo, and swan pond. Granny and Fiona and my mother were all there, overseeing the preparations for the Fall Harvest Party which was due to take place in two days. The sun was shining bright, the fall colors of brilliant reds and yellows and golds and various shades of orange on display in gorgeous fashion.

The gazebo was set up for the DJ to use and a big tent was being constructed near the swan pond. Fred and Ginger—Divinity’s resident swans—were protesting people so close to their nesting place, even though their babies were grown and getting ready to leave the nest any day now.

“There’s my Sunshine,” Granny Gert said, throwing her arms around me in a big hug, squeezing me hard. She had on a warm sweater coat over her polyester pantsuit and of course her tried-and-true apron. She’d brought apple and oatmeal cookies for the crew setting up the scene. “Care for a cookie, dear?” She held out a plate and grinned at me endearingly, her snappy brown eyes standing out beneath the clear plastic rain cap she had secured to her head. There wasn’t a chance of rain today, but Granny wouldn’t risk the wind messing up her perfectly set, snow white hair.

“Oh, Sunny, it’s so nice to see you.” Fiona hugged me, patting my back. “You’re looking darling.”

“You too,” I replied, taking in her fashionable cotton pantsuit and trendy cut and color. “Looks like renewing your vows agreed with you.”

“It’s about time you got here to help,” my mother chimed in from beside her. “And taking a break already, no less.”

“It’s nice to see you, too, Mother.” I smiled.

“How’s the treasure hunting?” She said casually as if she didn’t give a hoot, but I could tell she was dying of curiosity. It didn’t surprise me that she’d heard already. Not much got by my mother.

“Unfortunately, we’re at a dead end, but I still have the map. Hopefully something will come to me to clue us in on the whereabouts of the treasure. In the meantime, I’m helping Mitch with your case.”

“Ah, so
now
you care.”

Just then Morty appeared by my side from out of nowhere, wearing a flannel bowtie. Granny’s idea of helping him ward off the chill. My mother shrieked, jumping back a step, and I could have sworn I heard hissing laughter.

I scooped Morty up, giving him a stern disapproving look, and then met my mother’s eyes with an apologetic look of my own. “Sorry,” I muttered and steered the subject back on track. “I’ve always cared, Mother. I was simply trying to keep the peace with my boyfriend, but now he’s agreed to work with me. In fact, that’s why I’m here. Do you know if Ron Durkin is here?”

She refused to make eye contact with Morty as she searched the area. “Ah yes, I thought I saw him earlier. He’s right there by the tent, overseeing his crew.” She narrowed her eyes. “Why?”

“Oh, I just need to speak to him for a moment, is all. Have fun with the party preparations.” I walked away before she could grill me further.

My father and Harry were talking to the DJ, Jason Shank. He was being a good sport about being stuck in town. So was Wendy Statham the Cake Lady. I was glad Zoe had talked Granny into using them both for her party so at least they could make a little of their money back that they were undoubtedly losing from missing out on parties in the city.

“Mr. Durkin.” I held out my hand. He was a middle-aged, attractive man with a successful business and an equally attractive fiancé. I still couldn’t see him risking it all by committing murder, but I had to be sure.

He shook my hand with curiosity in his eyes. “And you are?”

“Sunshine Meadows, but you can call me Sunny.”

His eyes showed recognition and genuine warmth. “Your grandmother is a very sweet lady. She speaks of you all the time.”

I matched him with a warm smile of my own. “She is pretty special.”

“I’m sorry to hear about the suspicion surrounding your mother. I’m sure it will all work out.”

He seemed so sincere, my doubt about his guilt was growing. “I know it will,” I responded, “because I know she’s innocent. I’m pretty certain the guilty party had something to do with Peirce Theodore, his wife, or the bride and groom—Jo and Cole West.”

Ron’s face hardened so quickly, he transformed into a completely different person, making me reassess my first impression of him. “That wouldn’t surprise me one bit.”

“Would it surprise you that Jo is also my best friend?”

He narrowed his eyes in suspicion. “What exactly did you want to see me about, Miss Meadows?”

Morty jumped down and wandered off toward the tent. Instead of answering, I followed Morty’s lead and walked over to inspect the tent his crew had just installed. “I see you didn’t raise this tent yourself like you did the one for The West Wedding. I’m curious, Mr. Durkin, why is that?”

“I’m not shorthanded today like I was for the wedding.” He looked at me incredulously. “What are you getting at?”

“I’m just curious why a tent you had a hand in setting up fell down?”

“Accidents happen, Miss Meadows. Everyone knows that. We had to push our wedding back a whole month. I might not like the Wests for stealing the reception sight my fiancé and I had booked first, but I certainly wouldn’t resort to murder for revenge.”

“Did I mention I work with the police?” I said, and he paled. “What everyone
doesn’t
know, Mr. Durkin, is that the reception tent falling down was no accident.” I stared in his eyes. “The ropes on that tent were deliberately cut three quarters of the way, knowing the storm would take care of the rest. And not only that, but the reports came back confirming they were cut with the same knife used to stab Peirce Theodore to death.”